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Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan (HCWM) has been a pillar of support for the Latinx community in West Michigan for the past 45 years. HCWM’s mission is to empower the Hispanic community to achieve equity, self-sufficiency, and personalized prosperity. With a deep commitment to inclusivity, their community center, located in the heart of the Roosevelt Park neighborhood, which is the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, serves almost 30,000 individuals annually.
Thanks to generous funding support of $1,000,000 from the State of Michigan, the Hispanic Center is poised to embark on a capital project that will significantly help meet the increasing needs of the staff and community they serve. This expansion will allow them to provide crucial services to approximately a third of the Hispanic community in Kent County, creating a lasting impact for generations to come. HCWM’s dedicated staff, predominantly composed of bilingual Latinx individuals, continuously strives to enhance their expertise in order to deliver culturally sensitive services that their clients deserve. By fostering trust and breaking down barriers within the community, they aim to provide essential resources for self-sufficiency, independence, and active community involvement.
Through their various programs such as Family Support Services, Youth and Education initiatives, Language Services, Workforce Development, and upcoming Economic Development projects, HCWM addresses a wide range of needs of the Hispanic community members, from early childhood to senior years. With a holistic approach, their services aim to support entire households, especially those facing unique barriers such as language, cultural competency, and legal status. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the existing disparities in access to resources faced by the Hispanic community. By expanding their space and enhancing their organization's capacity, HCWM will be better equipped to address these challenges and cater to the growing needs of the Latino population in West Michigan.
Partnering with IFF, the Midwest's largest community development financial institution, HCWM is conducting a thorough assessment of the project feasibility to ensure seamless execution. By consolidating administrative and programmatic activities into a shared workspace, they aim to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and connectivity within the team, ultimately enabling them to continue delivering high-quality services to the community. The new space will not only serve as a hub for community events, workshops, job trainings, and essential services but also contribute to the overall well-being and empowerment of the community. Furthermore, it will foster stronger connections with the neighborhood residents and nonprofit partners, creating a more vibrant and inclusive environment for all.